Columns
Michael Mantha’s NFTP for 230928
Ontarians expect their government leaders to demonstrate cooperation, collaboration and respect September 28, 2023 Everywhere I go, it is clear that autumn has come to Algoma-Manitoulin. Harvest festivals are happening in communities, students have returned to their studies, and the … Continue reading
Carol Hughes’ Column – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Continues to Remind Us of Important Work Ahead
September 30th marks Canada’s third official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is meant to honour Indigenous, Inuit and Métis peoples who have suffered at the hands of Canada’s residential school system and gives each of us a … Continue reading
Michael Mantha’s News from the Park for 230922
I was having some work done on my car the other day, and I used the opportunity to look at the worn tread on my tires. I smiled at the mechanic and said, “So that’s where my summer went.” Man, … Continue reading
Michael Mantha’s News from the Park – Not all superheroes are imaginary
Not all superheroes are imaginary September 15, 2023 Superheroes are an exciting and entertaining phenomenon. They have delighted the imaginations of all ages for generations. When we think of superheroes, we think of fictitious characters such as Superman, Batman, the … Continue reading
Carol Hughes’ Column – Record Wildfire Season May Signal Need for National Fire Team
As we enter the last days of summer, it’s important to reflect on what has been Canada’s worst wildfire season on record, bar none. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), a not-for-profit corporation owned and operated by the federal, … Continue reading
Carol Hughes’ Column – Phoenix Pay System Debacle Highlights Need for Replacement
It’s been over a decade since the previous Conservative government began to implement the now-infamous Phoenix pay system for public servants. What was initially supposed to be a cost-saving measure for future governments has now ballooned completely out of control. … Continue reading
Carol Hughes’ Column – International Students Shouldn’t be Blamed for Housing Crunch
The cost of basic shelter is a hot-button issue for many people these days, particularly for youth. Housing prices are at a peak never experienced in Canada before, and along with it, rent costs have exploded. The cost of a … Continue reading
Michael Mantha’s News from the Park 230901
Northern Public Health Units are already challenged to meet the demands of vast territories. How is merging them going to make service better? Love it or hate it, we need government. Before 500 BC, the purpose of government was to … Continue reading
Carol Hughes’ Column – Small Businesses Need More Time to Recoup
Small businesses are the engine that drives Canada’s economy. As of December 2021, there were 1.21 million employer businesses in Canada, and of those, the vast majority (1.19 million, or 98 percent) were small businesses. They employ two-thirds of the … Continue reading
Michael Mantha’s News from the Park – Greenbelt Debacle: Willful omission, unrepentant and no remorse
Regular readers of this column are accustomed to me relating events and issues at Queen’s Park to everyday experiences that I find myself in, be they personal or professional. I think, in a way, the writing style compliments the way … Continue reading
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